New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Thursday she expects Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords to make a full recovery and run for re-election in her Arizona House district next year.

Gillibrand acknowledged that she hasn’t been told by the Arizona congresswoman, who hasn’t publicly announced her intentions, whether she will seek a fourth term.

“I believe in her and she fully believes in public service,’’ Gillibrand said. “And I think as she continues to heal herself and overcome these horrible injuries, I think she will be able to return full time to public service and she will be able to run for re-election.’’

But New York’s junior senator doesn’t expect an announcement from her fellow Democrat anytime soon.

“I would hope she would focus on her rehabilitation throughout the end of the year and then we’ll see in the new year,’’ Gillibrand said.

Gillibrand’s comments came following a retirement ceremony and reception for Giffords’ husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly of the U.S. Navy, which was hosted by Vice President Joe Biden in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House.